Casper Stockham, candidate for Congressional District 1

How would choosing you for this office improve the lives of residents of the district?

I'm not of the swamp in any way. I feel called to run for this office, and it is not my life's goal to live in Washington, D.C. Residents of this district will see me a great deal more than the current incumbent. It's called servant leadership. My goal is to empower and enhance the lives of the people in the district. A secondary goal is to end the absentee reign of the incumbent.

What should Congress do to address the nation's opioid epidemic?

Congress should repeal all laws banning cannabis. As former NFL player, Eugene Monroe said his “pain is never going away. My body is damaged. I must manage it somehow. Managing it with pills was slowly killing me. Now, I'm able to function and be extremely efficient by figuring out how to use different formulations of cannabis.” Cannabis is a non-addictive alternative to highly addictive opioids. End the ban. The opioid addiction problem is severely reduced.

What is your position on immigration reform?

Build a wall with border enforcement that regulates trans-border traffic while making it easier for legal immigration — protecting our Colorado citizens. Violations for visa overstays must have greater penalties. Guest-worker penalties should include revocation of legal status, a mandatory return to the home country of the violator and the prohibition of re-entry. Legislation with teeth that increases the penalties for both the illegal immigrant and any company employing illegal immigrants.

What can be done to improve the nation's health care system?

Get the government out of health care. We need to reduce government regulations and get out of the way of the doctors and researchers to the greatest extent possible. In effect, the solution is the exact opposite of what President Obama proposed in almost every way. For example, let health insurance be sold across state lines. Let customers be rewarded for finding lower costs with HSAs, preventive care, alternative care to include, chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture.

What are two other issues that demand attention from Congress, and why?

Two of the biggest issues are cronyism (campaign finance) and corruption. Congressional members and members of the Cabinet must have bans on their working for lobbyists or lobbying themselves for a period equal to the length of their elected or appointed office. Financial disclosures upon election must be compared to financial disclosures at the end of service and the difference, if greater, must be explained under oath. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” — Lord Acton

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